A butterfly species considered extremely rare in Nepal has been sighted in Sauraha, a tourist hub in Chitwan district, for the first time in over five decades.

The silver-streaked acacia blue, which is called ‘Chandi Dhasre Babulpari’ in Nepali, was sighted near the entrance gate of Chitwan National Park on Tuesday. According to Tek Bahadur Gurung, a butterfly expert, the butterfly was last recorded in Nepal in 1974.

The rediscovery of this rare species has sparked hope among conservationists that Nepal’s butterfly population may be more diverse than previously thought.

Gurung, who co-authored a book named Field Guide: Butterflies of Chitwan, Nepal last year, confirmed the rare finding. The butterfly species was first spotted by local nature guide Rojan Subedi. Upon receiving the information, Gurung along with fellow butterfly watchers Milan Tamang, Bishal Lama, and Basu Bidari rushed to the site. The group photographed and documented the butterfly.

“I immediately sent the photos and videos to both national and international butterfly experts within our network. They confirmed that this species is extremely rare for Nepal,” Gurung said.

Further confirmation came from butterfly researchers Sajan KC and Surendra Pariyar of Pokhara, and Pete Van, an expert from the Netherlands. Gurung noted that the only previous sighting of this species in Nepal was recorded in Makawanpur by Colin Smith, famously known in Nepal as the ‘Putali Baje’, back in 1974. “It has taken 51 years for this butterfly to be seen again,” Gurung added.

The scientific name of the butterfly species is Zinaspa todara. The sighting has brought excitement and pride to the local conservation community in Chitwan, particularly because it was found right on the outskirts of Sauraha, a popular gateway for tourists visiting the national park.

“There are a total of 692 known butterfly species in Nepal, and more than 312 of them can be found in Chitwan alone,” Gurung said, underscoring the region’s ecological diversity. He explained that butterflies are indicators of a healthy environment and thrive in places rich in water sources and plant diversity.

“Butterflies not only enhance the visual beauty of nature, but also play a vital role in pollination, which is crucial for agriculture,” Gurung added.

In addition to their ecological function, butterflies have a growing value in tourism. “We have seen tourists coming from abroad solely for butterfly watching,” Gurung explained. “This recent sighting reinforces Chitwan’s significance as a biodiversity hotspot and a promising destination for eco-tourism.”

Gurung and his team now plan to carry out more detailed studies in the region to determine if this butterfly has a more sustained presence.